Ejector for saturators



May 28, 1935- c. E. UNDERwooD EJECTOR FOR SATURATORS Filed April 2, 1932 of which the sulphate of ammonia Patented May l My invention relates Charles E. Underwood, Bethlehem,

Pa., assigner to Bethlehem Steel Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application' April 2, 1932, serial No. 602,661V` 26 Claims.

to saturators for use in recovering ammonium sulphates from gases by dry-distillation in a 4coke plant or the like and relates more especially to the .ejector by means crystals produced` therein are removed from the saturator.

In recovering ammonium sulphate the saturator is partially filled with a solution ofV sulphuric acid, the hot tor` and the ammonia gas coal gas from the tar extracfrom the still are introduced under pressure into the solution of sulphuric acid, the hot Vup through the acid the Vammonia toV form gases being allowed `to bubble solution which combines with ammonium sulphate the crystals being deposited at the bottom or wells of the saturator from which point they are pumped out through'ejectors and conveyed to a settling table and centrifugal dryer.

. One of the objects of my invention is to produce i ammonium Vsulphate crystals of' the desired size and quality, the usual tendency being for the crystals to be deposited in the well of the saturator in a powdery form in which theY finished salt crystals become caked either in the store or in bags and have to be crushed before using.

it was believed that from agitation, the tal growth was in this field it Was the solution produces a that the sizes and greatly increased.

Another object ejector mechanism monium sulphate can the saturator tothe dryer.

`secured, but

For many years by slow cooling and freedom best condition for large crysafter investigations found that the agitation off very beneficial effect and quality of the crystals are `ofrny invention relates to the means of Which'the ambe quickly conveyed from settling table and centrifugal Another object of my invention is to prevent congestion in the .well

or wells of the saturator by agitating the depositing crystals in such` a manner as to forma continuous circulation in the wells of the saturator so that the ammonium sulphate can be easily pumped out through the ejector. i

Other objects of my invention willappear heree inafter.

Having thus invention, will now in tion more clear, refer drawing forming a given a generalrdescription ofmy order to make the invento the annexed sheet of part of this specification and in which like characters of reference refer to like parts.

Figure lis a side pipe connections wi elevation of a saturator and thparts of the casing broken away to ilustrate more clearly the application of my invention attached thereto;

Fig.Y 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the pump and ejector with Fig. 3 is a transverse 3--3 of Fig. 2; and

parts shown in elevation; section taken on the line Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the lower end of the ejector, but drawn on a larger scale;

In the accompanying drawing,

indicates the saturator the numeral I having a pairof settling Wells at the bottom thereof as at 2, Vthe, saturator being partially filled with a solution 3 of sulphuric acid. 4 indicates the which the hot coal ga and ammoniafgas from tor and circulate in a Y apertures formed there the incoming pipev connection through s from the tar extractor the still enter the satura- U-shaped nozzle 5 having in as at 6 `through which flow or hot gas is adapted to escape and bubble up through the sulphuricacid solution as indicated by the arrows vin Fig. l. The exit pipe. for the waste vapors or oif gases, is indicated at 1, 8 the pipe through which the saturated ammonium sulphate isV conveyed tol a settling table and centrifugal dryer, and

B the pipe connection through which the supply of unsaturated acid liquor solution is returned or fed to the saturator from the centrifugal dryer and from the acid supply tank all of said arrangement being well known in the art a more detailed description is not considered necessary.

For illustration the saturator is shown as having two wells each having an ejector, but it will be understoodthat the saturator may have one or a plurality of wells if desired, and as all of the ejec tors are of the-same construction, a detailed description of one will apply to all of the ejectors.

As the ammonium sulphate is deposited in the well of the Vthe saturator kby Vmeans lower end of which is provided at I2, keyed to the lower e at I4 'and mounted on pump shaft I3 is journaled in saturator it is drawn or pumped out of ofan ejector I0, the

bell shaped as at Il .and

its lower end with a centrifugal pump nd of apump shaft I3, as the pump seat l5. This bearings I6 and I1 formed integral with the bell shaped lower end of the ejector and has a re duced extending threaded end I8 Vto which is secured a shaft .extension I9 having an impeller 20 attached to its lower end andheld inplace by means of peller is adapted to be Mdriven speed as the centrifugal pum a nut 2l This irnat the same rate of The blades of the in'ip'ellerV 2B and shaft extension I9 are enclosed by means of a sleeve 22 which is formed integralA with the pump 'seat I5 therefrom with perfor and' extends vdownwardly ations therein as at- 23.

The impeller as it rotates first discharges the saturated ammonium sulphate or like material through the bottom open end of the sleeve 22 forming the lower portion of the ejector, where it is deflected by engaging the flat bottom and inclined walls of the well and then drawn back again through the perforations 23 in the sleeve by the combined action of the pump and impeller where it can be easily pumped out as the impeller continues to circulate the material in the well.

Mounted on top of the shell of the saturator is a pedestal 24 upon the top of which is seated a motor 25 which is connected to the upper end of the pump shaft 3. The upper portion of the pump shaft being journaled in bearings 26 and 2'! in the pedestal.

A pipe connection is formed integral with the pedestal as at 28 which is coupled at the top end to the pipe 8 extending to the settling table and centrifugal dryer, while the lower end of the pipe 28 is coupled to a pipe29 extending to the top of the bell shaped lower portion H of the ejector. This pipe which forms a part of the' ejector also has a journal bearing 3@ mounted therein for supporting the pump shaft i3 at an intermediate point.

It will be noted that the impeller blades forming the agitator rotate at the same rate of speed as the centrifugal pump and are adapted to propel the mixture of sulphuric acid solution and ammonium sulphate or other material in the opposite direction to that of the pump. As the im peller rotates the precipitated crystals of ammonium sulphate will be agitated and continuously circulated in the manner indicated by the arrows invFig. 2, while the vanes 3l of the centrifugal pump will draw the saturated ammonium sul-y phate up through the intake opening 32 in the pump seat into the it through the pipe 29, pipe connection 23 and pipe 8 tothe settling table and centrifugal dryer, where the acid solution is extracted and then returned through pipe i! to the saturator,

used for any other tating or stirring and circulating effect is required.

Although I have shown and described my invention in considerable detail, I do not wish to be limited to the exact and specific details shown and described, but may use such substitutions, modications or equivalents thereof, as are embraced within the scope of my invention or as pointed out Yin the claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure, a pump mounted on a shaft in the lower end of the ejector adapted to discharge ,material from Vthe saturator, and an agitator connected to the lower end of the pump shaft and movable with the pump shaft adapted to propel material in the saturator in the opposite direction to that of the pump.

2. In an ejector for saturators or the like combell shaped lower end of theY prising a tubular structure, a pump rotatably mounted in the lower end of the tubular structure adapted to discharge material in the saturator from one end of the ejector, a rotatably mounted shaft secured to the pump, a shaft extension secured to the pump shaft, an impeller attached to the shaft extension adapted to agitate material in the saturator by discharging it from the opposite end of the ejector, and a sleeve surrounding the shaft extension and impeller.

3. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure having a pump shaft extending into the lower end of the tubular structure, a pump mounted on the pump shaft adapted to discharge material contained in the saturator from one end of the ejector, a shaft extension secured to the lower end of the pump shaft below the pump, an impeller attached to the lower end of the shaft extension, a pump seat in the lower end of the tubular structure, a perforated sleeve extension attached to the lower end of the tubular member adapted to surround the shaft extension and the impeller and means for rotating the impeller to circulate the material in the saturator around the lower end of the tubular member and through the perforated sleeve extension.

4. IVn-an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure, a pump shaft extending into the lower end of the tubular structure, a pump secured to the lower end of the pump shaft adapted to discharge material from the saturator, a pump seat secured to the lower end of the tubular structure having a perforated sleeve extension, a shaft extension attached to the lower end of the pump shaft within the sleeve, and an impeller attached to the lower end of the shaft extension adapted to propel material contained in the saturator from the lower end of the ejector around the same and through the perforated sleeve extension.

5. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure, a pump shaft journaled in the lower end of the tubular structure, a pump attached to the lower end of the pump shaft within the tubular structure, a perforated sleeve extension attached to the lower end of the tubular structure, a shaft extension secured to the lower end of the pump shaft and extending into the sleeve, an impeller secured to the shaft extension, and means for rotating the pump and impeller together to discharge material contained in the saturator from both ends of the ejector.

6. In anV ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure, a pump shaft journaled in the lower end of the tubular structure, a pump secured to the lower end of the pump shaft within the tubular structure for discharging material from the saturator, a shaft extension secured to the lower end of the pump shaft, an impeller secured to the lower end of the shaft extension adapted to agitate and circulate the material contained in the saturator around the lower end of the ejector, a pump seat secured to the lower end of the tubular structure, an extending sleeve formed integral with the pump seat surrounding the shaft extension and impeller, perforations formed in the sides of the sleeve, and means for rotating the pump and impeller together.

7. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure provided with a bell shaped lower end, a pump rotatably mounted in thebell shaped lower end of the tubular structure for discharging material from the saturator, a

cured to'the lower end of a shaft extension sethe pump shaft, an impeller attached to the shaft extension, a sleeve attached to the lower end of the tubular structure for surrounding the shaft extension and impeller, perforations formed in the sleeve at intermediate points said impeller adapted to create a continuous circulation of the material contained in the saturator around the sleeve and through the perforations formed therein, and means for simultaneously rotating the pump and impeller.

8. In an ejector for saturators or the like comshaft secured to the pump,

prising a tubular structure, a pump shaft having its lower end journaled in the tubular structure, a pump mounted in the lower end of the tubular structure and secured to the pump shaft adapted to discharge material from the saturator, a shaf t .projection secured to the lower end of the pump shaft, an impeller secured to the lower end of the shaft extension, a sleeve perforated at intermediate points and open at its lower end sur.- rounding the shaft extension and impeller and attached to the lower end of the tubular structure, said impeller adapted to circulate material contained in the saturator through the lower open end and perforations and around the inner and outer side walls of the sleeve, and means for simultaneously rotating the pump and impeller.

9. In combination with a saturator, having a well formed with inclined walls at the bottom thereof, an ejector comprising a tubular structure having its lower end offset and formed with a bell shaped lower portion extending into the well of the saturator, a shaft journaled in the offset lower portion of the tubular structure, a pump secured to the lower end of the shaft adapted to discharge material from the saturator, a shaft extension secured to the lower end of the shaft below the pump, an impeller secured tothe lower end of the shaft extension, a sleeve surrounding the shaft extension and the impeller, perforations formed in the sleeve between the pump and the impeller said impeller adapted to discharge material contained in the saturator from the lower open end of the ejector into engagement with the inclined walls of the well thereby deilecting the material to produce a continuous circulation through the perforations and the lower open end of the sleeve, and means for simultaneously rotating the pump and impeller.

10. In an ejector comprising a tubular structure open at its lower end, a pump and impeller mounted therein, means for connecting the pump and impeller together, perforations formed in the tubular structure between the pump and impeller, and means for simultaneously rotating the pump and impeller to discharge material in the saturator from opposite ends of the ejector.

11. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure, a pump mounted therein adapted for discharging material from the saturator from the upper end of the ejector, an impeller mounted below the pump and Vconnected thereto vfor agitating and discharging material in the saturator at the ylower end of the ejector, and means for simultaneously actuating the pump and impeller.

12. In combination with a saturator having a well formed with inclined walls at the bottom thereof, an ejector comprising a tubular structure extending into the well and open at its lower end, a pump mounted'therein adapted to discharge material from the saturator, an impeller mounted below the pump in the tubular structure near its for saturators and the likel lower end adapted to discharge material in the saturator from the lower end of the ejector into engagement with the inclined walls of the well, perforations in the tubular structure between the pump and the impeller, and means for rotating the pump and impeller together.

13. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure formed with a bell shaped lower portion open at its lower end, a pump provided with a shaft journaled in the bell shaped lower portion, adapted to discharge material from the saturator, an impeller mounted below the pump in the tubular structure near its lower end and connected to the pump shaft, perforations in the tubular structure between the pump and the impeller, said impeller adapted to form a continuous circulation of the material in the saturator around the inner and outer surfaces of the loweriend of the ejector between its lower open end and the perforations and means for rotating the pump shaft.

Y 14. In combination with a saturator having a well formed with inclined walls at the bottom thereof,V a pedestal having a pipe connection formed integral therewith mounted on the saturator, an ejector comprising a tubularstructure connected to the pedestal at its upper end and provided with an open lower end portion eX- tending into the well of the saturator, a pump keyed to a shaft mounted in the bell shaped lower portion adapted to discharge material from the saturator, an impeller mounted below the pump in the tubular structure near its lower end and connected to the pump shaft, perforations in the tubular structure between peller, means -for creating a continuous circulation in the saturator Vbetween the inclined walls of the well and the lower end of the ejector and a motor mounted on the pedestal for rotating the pump shaft.

15. In an ejector for saturators or the like cornprising a tubular structure open at its lower end,

`a centrifugal pump mounted in the tubular structure adapted to discharge material from the saturator, an agitator mounted near end of the tubular structure, means for connecting the centrifugal pump and agitator together, perforations formed in the walls of the tubular structure between the centrifugal pump and the agitator, means for creating a continuous circuf lation of the material in the saturator through the perforations and the lower open end of the ejector and means for rotating the centrifugal pump. Y

16. In an .ejector for saturators or the like coinprising a tubular structure having an offset bell shaped lower portion, a pump shaft having its lower portion journalled in the offset bell shaped portion, a centrifugal pump mounted on the lower end of the vpump shaft adapted to discharge material from the saturator, a pump seat secured to the lower end of the bell shaped portion having a sleeve with an open lower end formed integral therewith, a shaft extension secured to the pump shaft below the centrifugal pump eX- tending into the sleeve extension, an agitator secured to the lower end of the shaft extension, perforations formed in the sleeve between the 'agitator and the centrifugal pump, said agitator adapted to create a continuous circulation of the material in the saturator through the perforations and the lower open end of the sleeve and means for rotating the pump shaft.

17. In combination with a saturator having a well formed with inclined Walls at the bottom the pump and the iml the lower open thereof, a pedestal having a pipe connection formed integral therewith mounted on the saturator, an ejector comprising a tubular structure having an offset bell shaped lower portion, a pump shaft having its upper portion journaled in the pedestal and the lower portion journaled in the offset bell shaped portion, a centrifugal pump mounted on the lower end of the pump shaft in the bell shaped lower portion of the ejector adapted to discharge material from the saturator, a pump seat secured to the lower end of the bell shaped portion, a sleeve formed integral with the pump seat having an open lower end, a shaft extension secured to the pump shaft and extending into the sleeve below the centrifugal pump, an agitator secured to the lower end of the shaft extension, perforations formed in the sleeve be tween the agitator and the centrifugal pump, said agitator adapted to create a continuous circulation of the material in the saturator between the lower open end of the sleeve and the bottom and inclined walls of the well, and means for rotating the pump shaft.

18. In combination with a saturator having a well formed with inclined walls at the bottom thereof, a pedestal having a pipe connection formed integral therewith mounted on the saturator, an ejector comprising a tubular structure having an offset bell shaped lower portion, a pump shaft having its upper portion journaled in the pedestal and the lower portion in the offset bell shaped portion of the tubular structure, a centrifugal pump mounted on the lower end of the pump shaft in the bell shaped lower portion of the ejector adapted to discharge material from the saturator, a screw threaded projection at the lower end of the pump shaft, a pump seat secured to the lower .end of the bell shaped portion, a sleeve formed integral with the pump seat having an open lower end, an intake for the centrifugal pump formed in the pump seat, a shaft extension secured to the screw threaded lower projecting end of the pump shaft adapted to extend into the sleeve below the centrifugal pump, an agitator secured to the lower end of the shaft extension, perforationskformed in the sleeve between the agitator and the centrifugal pump, said agitator adapted to create a continuous circulation between the inclined walls of the well from the open end of the sleeve and the perforations Yformed therein, and a inotor mounted on the pedestal and connected to the pump shaft for continuousiy rotating the centrifugal pump and agitator.

i9. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure open at its lower end, a centrifugal pump mounted therein adapted to discharge material from the saturator, an impeller mounted in the tubular structure near the lower open end, perforations formed inthe tubular structure between the centrifugal pump and the impeller, said impeller adapted to create a continuous circulation of the material in the saturator on the inner and outer sides of the tubular structure between the perforations and its lower open end, and means for rotating the centrifugal pump and impeller together.

20. In an ejector for saturators or the like comprising a tubular structure open at its lower iournaled end, a centrifugal pump and an impeller connected together and mounted therein in spaced relation to each other near the lower end of the tubular structure, said centrifugal pump being adapted to discharge material from the saturator, perforations formed in the tubular structure between the centrifugal pump and the impeller, said impeller adapted to create a continuous circulation laterally from around the lower portion of the ejector between the perforations and the lower open end of the tubular structure and means for rotating the centrifugal pump and impeller together.

2l. In an ejector for discharging material from saturators or the like, an agitator mounted in the l lower end of the ejector, and means for rotating the agitator to propel material from the lower end of the ejector and create a continuous circulation of the material around the lower end of said ejector.

22. In combination with a saturator having a well formed with inclined walls at the bottom thereof, an ejector for discharging material from the saturator comprising a tubular structure having its lower end communicating with the well, and an agitator mounted in the tubular structure near its lower end adapted to create a continuous circulation of material in the saturator between the inclined walls of the well and the lower end of the ejector.

23. In combination with a saturator having a well formed, with inclined walls at the bottom thereof, an ejector for discharging material from the saturator comprising a tubular structure having its lower end extend'mg into the well, and an agitator mounted in the lower end of the ejector adapted to circulate material in the saturator around the lower end of the ejector between the inclined walls of the well.

24. In apparatus for producing sulphate of ammonia, comprising a saturator adapted to contain an aci'L saturation bath, means for introducing coal gas into the saturation bath thereby forming a crystalline deposit in the saturation bath, and an ejector provided with an impeller i mounted therein. for agitating the saturation bath during the formation of the crystals.

25. In apparatus for producing sulphate of ammonia, comprising a saturator adapted to contain an acid saturation bath, means for introducing coal gas into the saturation bath thereby forming a saturated crystalline deposit in the saturation bath, an impeller for creating a continuous circulation of the saturation bath during the formation of the crystals, and an ejector provided with a centrifugal pump adapted to rotate with the impeller to discharge the saturated crystalline deposit from the saturator during the continuous circulation of the saturation bath.

26. In combination with a saturator having a well, an ejector provided with a centrifugal pump for discharging material from tl e saturator having its lower end extending into the well, and an agitator mounted in the ejector and rotatable with the pump adapted to circulate material in the saturator around the lower end of the ejector in the well.

CHARLES E. UNDERWOOD. 

